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This morning Lima 2019 and the Ombudsman Office of Peru signed an agreement to carry out training activities and promote the rights of people with an impairment.
The ceremony was carried out at the VIDENA, the most important Games competition venue. The President of the Lima 2019 Organizing Committee, Carlos Neuhaus, and the Ombudsman, Walter Gutiérrez, attended this event. After the ceremony, they toured some of the main venues such as the Athletics Stadium, the Velodrome, the Aquatic Center and the Control Center to check the accessibility in their external urban environment and in transport.
Carlos Neuhaus stated that all Lima 2019 venues comply with the international standards of accessibility. “Venues such as the VIDENA have large elevators, entrance basements, and accessibility services for wheelchair-users. During the Games, Para athletes will have adapted vehicles with suitable ramps and accessible accesses to the competition areas. All athletes will have the right conditions to move at the VIDENA or any other venue,” said the COPAL President.
The Ombudsman stressed the signing of this agreement will benefit people with an impairment. “We've signed this agreement to raise awareness on something really important among citizens: accessibility. Around three million people have an impairment, so we want to make sure that their rights are respected. The Games are an opportunity to build infrastructures that meet all standards. We want people to learn more about accessibility because it’s a right. Not complying with the accessibility standards would be discrimination,” said Walter Gutiérrez.
In order to raise awareness on impairment among Peruvians and create accessible spaces for everyone, the Ombudsman also recorded a promotional video during his tour across the Lima 2019 venues. Additionally, they checked the access for the boccia players.
Just like the other sports facilities remodeled or built by the Organizing Committee, the VIDENA meets all international standards regarding physical accessibility, communication and information. This will allow people with an impairment (both athletes and spectators) to participate and enjoy all sports events and services on equal terms.
LET’S ALL PLAY
It is not just about infrastructure; technology also plays an important role. All audio-assisted systems, as well as the Games website and mobile applications, will be available in accessible formats. They will be compatible with accessible features in electronic, audio and video devices to make the Games data and content available to everyone.
The vehicle fleet used during the Games will comply with the established accessibility parameters for people with physical impairment and will ensure the movement of Para athletes within the scheduled time period. The internal vehicle distribution and pick-up/drop-off procedures of the Games will be included in a pilot program, which will be later implemented to the public transportation system of Lima.
The Ministry of Transport and Communications will certify all Lima 2019 drivers, who will pass a training course to assist people with an impairment.
It should be noted that after the Lima 2019 Games, the Pan American and Parapan American Village will be the first accessible housing complex in Lima. This building has 336 accessible apartments for wheelchair-users, accessible furniture and urban equipment, large elevators, Braille signage, as well as tactile pavement for people with visual impairments.
ACCESSIBLE DESIGN GUIDE
Lima 2019 has prepared and made available two technical reference documents regarding accessibility to the Ministry of Housing, Construction and Sanitation, among other legacy contributions. The Lima 2019 Accessible Design Guide establishes the key designing guidelines for accessible sporting infrastructures according to the Best Practice Guidelines of the International Paralympic Committee.
Also, the Lima 2019 Accessible Signage Manual sets out accessibility standards related to signage and spatial orientation components that must be displayed in all Lima 2019 Games venues.
The Lima 2019 organization process has been a unique opportunity to build inclusive infrastructure in Peru and adapt the existing ones to the highest international standards for the sake of the Paralympic Movement and Para athletes, who did not have adequate venues to train or compete before.
